Not many people can say they absolutely love their job, however carer Angela Marsh from Pendlebury certainly can.
Angela was nominated for the national ‘Care Professional of the Year’ award by Home Instead and became a finalist this year. As Angela explained: “providing companionship and care is a responsibility that (she) does not take lightly.”
Angela first got into care in 2017 after looking after her mother. She thought she’d be good in the industry due to her “caring nature” and because of how rewarding the job can be.
Angela said: “It’s knowing that you’re making a difference to someone’s life, making it possible for them to remain within their own home and building up a bond with them.
“Because you see them most days of every week, you build up a good bond, you know what is important to them and how things are done.
“They appreciate you going, they smile when you go in and it feels like a very warm thing.”
Angela was recognised for her commitment to always go the extra mile for her clients.
She was specifically commended for helping one of her clients, 97-year-old Holocaust survivor Gerda, to write a book.
Gerda, from Preswitch, has a collection of photographs from her past, so Angela and Gerda’s family got all the photographs together and contacted the Jewish federation in Prestwich. The federation then came to Gerda’s house to conduct an interview and later helped publish her book.
Angela added: “She’s done so many different things in her life and she’s a lovely lady to speak to.
“She’d been thinking about writing the book since the 90s so it’s something she’s always wanted to do.
“You know, with her generation now there’s not many left, so she said she wanted to sort of carry that memory on.”
Angela also arranged for Gerda to go into The Deans Primary School in Swinton to talk about her life and some of the challenges she overcame to inspire young people. The class were in fact around the same age as Gerda when she came over to the UK as a refugee.
The Swinton school then created a collage board for Gerda’s birthday. Gerda still has the board hung up in her home.
Angela added: “It’s been authorised that I can visit her just for a cup of tea in my own time, which I have done. I’m not getting paid to do that but I want to keep in touch with her because we have a special bond.”
Angela prides herself on doing the little things; this may include switching her shifts to spend New Years Eve with a lonely client or buying a Christmas Dinner for another.
Susan Robinson, from Home Instead, said: “Compassion, kindness, and patience are important traits for anyone working in care, and Angela embodies these qualities abundantly. I’m immensely proud to see her nominated for this award; it serves as a testament to how much we value her dedication and hard work.
“If others follow Angela’s example, we can confidently envision a future where more of us enjoy the comfort of our homes, cared for by compassionate professionals if we ever need care.”
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